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Sports

Whitley, McDowell Take an Olympics-Size Jog Overseas

Two of Geneva's star cross-country runners are competing internationally, representing the U.S. in Youth Olympics competition.

Geneva cross country runners Kelly Whitley and Kevin McDowell each recently missed the start of fall practice, some of the regular season and many days of going to class inside the high school.

But in return they had the experience of a lifetime, competing in the Youth Olympics in Singapore and then the World Championships in Hungary. The trip began in Singapore in mid August and did not conclude until mid September in Hungary. The athletes, who qualified for these events through their performances at competitions earlier this year, went straight from Singapore to Hungary, meaning they were away from home for over a month.

The Youth Olympics and World Championships consisted of a 750-meter swim, 20K bike ride and 5K run.

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Whitley, 17 and a senior at Geneva High School, took third out of 32 competitors from around the world in the Youth Olympics 17- and 18-year-old division and fourth out of 60 in the World Championships 16- to 19-year-old division.

McDowell, 18 and a senior at Geneva High School, placed second in the Youth Olympics and third at the World Championships in the same age divisions as Whitley. The two Vikings also teamed up in a relay at the Junior Olympics, along with two other athletes, to take third.

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"It was one of the most amazing experiences of my life," Whitley said. "I learned so much from it, being pretty much on my own most of the time. I was homesick as I left Singapore for Hungary, but my parents met up with me in Hungary, which was great. It was their first time out of the country. For them to get to do that with me, that felt great. And Hungary was a beautiful place to compete."

McDowell also said the trip was "amazing."

"It was so much fun. I met so many athletes, so many people," he said. "It was a great experience to be on the road and experience life as a triathlete because one day I hope to make the Olympics as a triathlete."

Whitley said she was very pleased with her results.

"The World Championships were much more competitive and high caliber," she said. "My goal was Top 5, which I accomplished. I was surprised."

McDowell said he was running side-by-side with the eventual winner of the Youth Olympics.

"It came down to the two of us in a pack, and he got by me, but I am happy with how I finished," he said. "And the World Championships are more competitive, competing against more guys, many of them 19 years old."

Even though their absence left his teams a little short in the early season, Vikings' girls and boys cross country coach Bob Thomson said the trip abroad was an "unbelievable opportunity."

"(I) was excited for how well they did on the world stage," he said. "Training for a multi-sport event like the triathlon I believe is great for overall fitness and avoiding injuries. If we had access to a pool and quality bikes, I would have all our runners cross train.

"Those (who) are good friends of Kelly and Kevin are very proud of them. They couldn't stop talking about them and their accomplishments. I know their teammates are proud to say they are on the team with them."

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